Guest blog: Lyn Chua's trip to Halifax

Chatelaine's Assistant food editor, Lyn Chua recently visited Halifax and surrounding area. She had lots of great food experiences and thought she'd share one of the many highlights. Check it out: I toured Halifax and the Annapolis Valley in mid-October and was dazzled by the vivid fall colours as well as the thriving cottage industries in and around the valley. One of my favourites was The Tangled Garden, a fairy-tale cottage that serves as home, shop, gallery and production kitchen for its owner Beverly. While we couldn't tour the garden or see the pond or the wildflower labyrinth, I peeked through the windows and spotted a quince tree, colourful bushes and otherworldly looking shrubs that evoked the Secret Garden. Inside, Beverly (below) offered generous pats of lemon thyme jelly on crackers for visitors to taste. It was so delish, I bought a jar. I liked her liqueurs too so on impulse, I selected the Radiant raspberry liqueur. I have since added it to a rum ball recipe  http://food.chatelaine.com/Recipes/View/Boozy-holiday-rum-balls and a chocolate cake. All the herbs and fruit in her jellies, jams, chutneys, mustards, vinegar and honey are either from her magical garden or from the local farms. If you're a last minute shopper still looking for unusual gift ideas or stocking stuffers, check out her website:  http://www.tangledgarden.ns.ca/products.htm Here are a couple more shots inside the Tangled Garden: Stay tuned for my next guest blog: I toured Halls Harbour Lobster Pound, in the Bay of Fundy, where I learned how to put a lobster to sleep ' no kidding. I'll be back to tell you more about this meaty crustacean in February when lobster season begins.